Wednesday, April 29, 2015

Check Ravelry, look at comments and check for errata before
starting to knit.

Look at the schematic. If there isn’t one, draw the shape
and the direction of the knitting.

It’s all about mind set. If you think you can, you’re
right, if you think you can’t, you’re right!

Choose lace stitch patterns with strong visual design lines.

Stitch patterns with wrong side rest (purl) rows are easier
to learn.

LACE
knitting has REST rows, kniTTed lace has paTTern on both sides.

Enlarge the chart if it’s difficult to see.

Colour around the repeats if chart is black and white.

Understand stitch orientation. The yarn goes over the
needle from the front to the back. The front leg is on the right, the back leg
is at the left. When working yarn overs before and after purl stitches maintain
stitch orientation. Try reversing stitch orientation, if knitting style creates
holes of varying size.

Lace
patterns with static stitch numbers have a decrease to match every increase.
Lace which grows in size, has extra yarn overs.

Work out
how to splice your yarn before you start the project based on the fibre
content. Can you do a felted join with moisture and friction? Will a Russian
join work? Are you comfortable weaving in ends?

Put
charts in the order to be knit. Sometimes publishing space concerns create reverse order layouts. Just photocopy the pattern and rearrange.

When reading
charts, knit the right side from right to left. Knit the wrong side, reading
left to right.

Repeat
sections are marked on the chart, knit to the repeat, knit the repeat as many
times as it fits in the number of stitches on the needle, knit any additional
stitches outside the repeat to end the row. Extra stitches beside the repeat
are there to make balanced complete patterns.

Use
different colours and styles of markers to mark off different sections; for
example pattern repeats vs. borders.

Use
lifelines. To
create a lifeline, finish a row of knitting and then using a needle, thread a smooth
yarn such as cotton, in a contrasting colour through the line of stitches on
the needle. Make sure the contrast colour dye does not rub off. Use a length longer
than the width of the work plus enough to tie knots at each end so you can
still spread the work out fully. It’s easier to work in the centre of a circular
needle or off of a smaller needle. If you make a mistake, you can rip back to the row
held by the lifeline, replace the stitches back onto your needle, and
start the row over. Be sure not to thread the lifeline through your markers.

If you
miss working a yarn over, simply lift the strand between the stitches and work
into it.

Do a
swatch of the pattern stitch and analyze how the stitches relate to one another
in all four directions.

Monday, April 27, 2015

I was recently asked to explain the difference between these two patterns by a knitter who was trying to choose between the two. The Deborah Beresford Vest pictured at left was the second version. This vest was designed to take advantage of the many colours available
from Shelridge Yarns. Two strands of yarn are held together: one colour
is switched out at a time to create the colour transitions.It’s an updated version of The Prudence Crowley Vest
with a different stitch pattern. The pattern uses simple reverse
stocking stitch borders on the armholes and bottom edges to allow for
easy finishing with multiple yarn ends.

The fit of both vests is very forgiving and will flatter many body shapes. The classic
vest back gives the garment structure, while the front is constructed
as a simple straight piece of knitting with angled edges creating points
at the front. The colour changes create a strong, slimming vertical
line on the front of the body. The front edges fold back into a shawl
collar. The simple textured stitch patterns lay flat and create a
gentle transition at each colour change, subtly blending the shades.

Each vest is worked in two pieces. The back is knit from the bottom edge
up. The front is knit in one long section like a sideways scarf with
increases at each end. The edges of the vest back on Prudence are self finishing and
include instructions to smooth the normally used uneven stair step bind
off methods. It was designed with self striping yarns in mind. These projects are a wonderful introduction to garments for
the beginner, as there are no buttonholes and minimal sewing. The front edges can be folded back into a
shawl collar shape or left to stand high on your neck.

Deborah has a slightly more drapey feel on the body. It's a little heavier due to the double standing of the fingering weight yarn. I've weighed my samples, the difference is 127 grams. This version also allows the knitter to completely customize their colour choices. Just chose a range of colours knit from dark to light and back to dark again in sequence.

Friday, April 24, 2015

Once
a week I post interviews with interesting people about their insights
on their experience of working in the Knitting industry. I’ve noticed
that every one of these individuals makes their living in a slightly
different manner bringing their own unique presence to the knitting
world.

Everywhere
- In Architecture, Techniques, Materials, Surfaces, Nature, Fashion,
Movies … – There are so many ideas, that I could preoccupy myself for
the next two hundred years … so exciting! Sometimes I wake up during
night with the solution of a construction problem or with a new idea -
there is always a little pad on my nightstand for notes and scribbles.

What is your favourite knitting technique?

A new technique with every new project! And: mindless stockinette stitch.

Do you look at other designers’ work or are you afraid that you will be influenced by their designs?

To
my opinion, a new design is just a new way to interpret and combine
what one has seen somewhere someday. There are so talented designers, so
many inspiring ideas! Wouldn’t it be a pity to miss them?

How do you feel about the so called controversy of “dumbing down” patterns for knitters?

When
I started knitting, I had a grandma and a yarn store, where I could ask
for help. If you order your yarn and pattern online, you are alone. And
then a detailed pattern is quite helpful. On the other hand, a pattern
for a simple sweater, with 10 or more pages of instructions, might be
quite a deterrent.

To
me, this is a funny question, as my way was the opposite around. My
first patterns were very simple. Similar to 80-ies style German
Knitting Magazines, just the most important instructions - expecting the
knitter to know what to do (or where to ask). Now my patterns are much,
much longer and detailed. Including schematics, row-by-row and
stitch-by-stitch instructions, pictures of details, photo tutorials for
uncommon techniques, and, and, and … But I will not teach the basics. This is the job of knitting classes – or YouTube.

How many sample/test knitters do you have working for you or do you do it all yourself?

Usually
1-2 per size and language. My first prototype is knit by myself,
sometimes a second one is necessary. Fortunately I have a pool of very
helpful and patient test knitters – they all deserve my particular
thanks!

Did you do a formal business plan?

Actually
my knitting and designing is not a real business. But I take it very
seriously and try to act as professional as possible, spending
uncountable hours to bring a new pattern along, responding to any
question within a few hours and spending a lot of time in my Ravelry group.

Not
in a common sense. Except if you would accept my husband as a mentor? – Or
the many friendly knitters on Ravelry who supported my activities with
their nice comments and warm hearts!

Do you have a business model that you have emulated?

My
little “designing-career” started by chance, when I discovered Ravelry. The positive response to my first project was absolutely
unexpected, and a knitter asked if there would be instructions. That’s
how my first pattern occurred. - And then so many knitters downloaded
this first pattern! That was a real WOW-moment. (In the meantime I
learned, that free patterns are always popular, but at that time it inspired me to continue). Much later I started to look around what other designers do. And tried hard to act more professional.

How are you using social media to grow your business?

Oops,
that’s my weak point ... I have a Ravelry group that keeps me busy. Up
to now I did not find the time for a homepage or any other social media.
I know, this is an omission in modern life, but I prefer to spend my
time knitting and writing patterns.

Not
yet, but I have often, very often thought about it! All my patterns are
tested by experienced knitters. Of course it might be easier and
time-saving to employ a tech editor, but some issues appear only while
knitting a piece. It is very helpful to hear the opinion of a knitter working through the pattern.

How do you maintain your life/work balance?

If you ask my husband, he would tell you that 110% of my free time is filled with knitting-stuff. Actually it is only 90%.

How do you deal with criticism?

Any feedback is welcome and important to me. It helps to improve.

How long did it take for you to be able to support yourself?

I really don’t know, how long it will last …

What advice would you give someone who wants to pursue a career in knitting?

Do not hurry. Give yourself time to review and rethink what you are doing, and how you are doing it.

What’s next for you?

The
release of my Cross Pockets Cardigan is planned for the next few days, and
two more cardigans are on the way. This summer’s program is a revision
of my older patterns (the ones in “German abstract style”). And there
are so many new ideas that want to be knitted … every moment a new one arising!

About Me

email contact robinknits(AT)gmail(dot)com
I've been knitting my whole life. I don't even remember learning. I started making garments for myself in my teens and then explored sewing, tailoring and millinery. I want to teach knitters about fit and flattery and turn them into fashion stars!
On my blog you will find lots of interviews with knitting industry professionals, how to tutorials and a variety of posts about what's going on in the knitting world.
I love to come out and speak at shops and guilds. Here's what the Downtown Knit collective said after one of my talks:
“Robin Hunter’s inspiring talk, “The Barbie Factor,” left everyone in a feel-good mood at the conclusion of the May meeting. Heads were nodding in agreement all around ... as she tackled a multi-faced problem faced by many knitters—why don’t we knit for ourselves? She touched on many topics including fashion, body image, media and how it all relates back to our knitting.”
You can see my patterns on http://www.patternfish.com/des/robin_hunter and you can find me on Ravelry at http://www.ravelry.com/people/knittingrobin
My YouTube channel is here:http://www.youtube.com/user/robinknits?feature=mhee